Sailors go opposite ways

LAGUNA HILLS -- The Newport Harbor High girls’ cross country team took first while the boys struggled at a Sea View League five-way meet at Laguna Hills Friday.

Whitney Blue led the way for the girls, finishing first in 17 minutes, 25 seconds. Melissa Mead came in eighth while Taylor Bryson and Lauren Maddox finished 11th and 12th, respectively, to lead the Sailors to victory.

“That’s the best team race we’ve ever run,” Newport Harbor girls’ coach Eric Tweit said. “This was a huge win for their confidence.”

The Sailors’ top boys runner, Kenny Rakestraw, didn’t compete after having his appendix removed Sunday. As a result, the Sailors finished last.

“When you don’t have your No. 1 guy, it makes it hard,” Newport Harbor boys’ coach Nowell Kay said.

Mike Puncel was the first to finish for the boys with a time of 17:07. Following him was Murphy Hitchcock with a time of 17:15.

Newport Harbor will run in the league finals Friday at Irvine Regional Park in Orange.

The girls are tied for first with Woodbridge going into the finals and have hopes of going to the CIF Southern Section finals and the state meet. For the boys, Rakestraw will compete and must finish in the top six to advance.

-- Christen D’Alessandro

BOYS’ WATER POLO

Sage Hill 7, Valencia 2

ANAHEIM -- Julian Tooma and Beau Caillouette each scored two goals as the Lightning won a match at the North Orange County Tournament.

Also scoring for Sage Hill (15-7) were Jordan Cline, Chris Mazzo and James Miller. Danny Harold recorded nine saves in goal.

Corona del Mar 8,

Sacred Heart 7

SAN JOSE -- The Corona del Mar High boys water polo team rallied from a 5-4 halftime deficit to advance past the first round of the TruWest Memorial Cup Invitational with a victory over Sacred Heart of Atherton. Kyle Hersh scored he winning goal for the Sea Kings with 2:32 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Hersh led CdM with three goals. Mike Berry added two scores in the win. Goalkeeper Jamie Kline contributed 10 saves.

TruWest Memorial Cup

Invitational

Corona del Mar 8,

Sacred Heart 7

Score by Quarters